an9.41:13.1 Then I thought,
an9.41:13.2 ‘Why don’t I, going totally beyond the dimension of infinite consciousness, aware that “there is nothing at all”, enter and remain in the dimension of nothingness?’
an9.41:13.3 But my mind did not leap forth, gain confidence, settle down, and become decided in the dimension of nothingness. I didn’t see it as peaceful.
an9.41:13.4 Then I thought,
an9.41:13.5 ‘What is the cause, what is the reason why my mind does not leap forth, gain confidence, settle down, and become decided in the dimension of nothingness? Why don’t I see it as peaceful?’
an9.41:13.6 Then I thought,
an9.41:13.7 ‘I haven’t seen the drawbacks of the dimension of infinite consciousness, and so I haven’t cultivated that. I haven’t realized the benefits of the dimension of nothingness, and so I haven’t developed that.
an9.41:13.8 That’s why my mind does not leap forth, gain confidence, settle down, and become decided in the dimension of nothingness. And it’s why I don’t see it as peaceful.’
an9.41:13.9 Then I thought,
an9.41:13.10 ‘Suppose that, seeing the drawbacks of the dimension of infinite consciousness, I were to cultivate that. And suppose that, realizing the benefits of the dimension of nothingness, I were to develop that. It’s possible that my mind would leap forth, gain confidence, settle down, and become decided in the dimension of nothingness. And I would see it as peaceful.’
an9.41:13.11 And so, after some time, I saw the drawbacks of the dimension of infinite consciousness and cultivated that, and I realized the benefits of the dimension of nothingness and developed that.
an9.41:13.12 Then my mind leapt forth, gained confidence, settled down, and became decided in the dimension of nothingness. I saw it as peaceful.
an9.41:13.13 And so, going totally beyond the dimension of infinite consciousness, aware that ‘there is nothing at all’, I entered and remained in the dimension of nothingness.
an9.41:13.14 While I was in that meditation, perception and focus accompanied by the dimension of infinite consciousness beset me, and that was an affliction for me.
an9.41:13.15 Suppose a happy person were to experience pain; that would be an affliction for them.
an9.41:13.16 In the same way, when perception and focus accompanied by the dimension of infinite consciousness beset me, that was an affliction for me.

